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'American Mariachi' Explores The Transformative Power Of Music

From left to right, Amanda Robles, Heather Velazquez, Jennifer Paredes, Natalie Camunas, and Crissy Guerrero during a rehearsal for the play, "American Mariachi," in an undated photo.
Photo by AdamsVisCom
From left to right, Amanda Robles, Heather Velazquez, Jennifer Paredes, Natalie Camunas, and Crissy Guerrero during a rehearsal for the play, "American Mariachi," in an undated photo.
'American Mariachi' Explores The Transformative Power Of Music
"American Mariachi" Explores The Transformative Power Of Music GUESTS: José Cruz González, playwright, "American Mariachi" Jennifer Paredes, actress, "American Mariachi"

American Mariachi

When: March 23-April 29

Where: The Old Globe

Tickets: $30-$80

Is it possible to break tradition while honoring that tradition at the same time?

The answer is yes, according to a world premiere musical opening at The Old Globe.

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The play, "American Mariachi," is a celebration of the traditions of that most distinctive Mexican music and the innovations that have kept it relevant.

But most of all it’s the story of how the love of family can make just about anything possible. The play, set in the 1970s, follows a teenage girl named Lucha and her quest to form an all-female mariachi group.

José Cruz González, who wrote the play, and actress Jennifer Paredes, who plays Lucha, discuss the major themes of the story.